Can Fusion Do Better Than Boil Water for Electricity?

• Published in: Fusion technology Vol. 34; no. 3P2; pp. 496 - 502
• Main Author: Waganer, Lester M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.11.1998
• Subjects: Environmental impact; Industrial economics; Marketing; Nuclear energy; Nuclear industry; Risk assessment
• ISSN: 0748-1896
• DOI: 10.13182/FST98-A11963661

For several decades, the international fusion community has had a goal of using a high quality fusion plasma for central station electrical power generation. Continued progress has been made toward the ultimate goal of high quality fusion plasmas with good confinement, mainly in tokamak experimental reactors. However, the commitment to begin construction of an engineering test reactor has not been made. One of the underlying reasons for delaying this large commitment is the lack of favorable economic projections for a fusion-generated cost of electricity 1 . Even though the cost of fusion fuel is very inexpensive, the plant capital cost is very expensive, which significantly increases the cost of electricity. The only new electric generating plants currently being purchased in the U.S. are gas turbine units, because they are relatively inexpensive, can be brought on line quickly, and are fueled with low-cost, abundant natural gas. Existing coal and fossil plants are being used to the maximum extent possible. New, capital-intensive, electric-generating plants are not being considered for the near future, even though there is a growing awareness of the resource depletion and environmental impact of using hydrocarbon fuels. It is time to step back and reconsider all the products fusion can provide as an inexhaustible energy source. Additional products, other than generation of electrical power, may have more benefits and fewer risks, especially in the near term. A complete set of fusion products was investigated to examine common categories of applications and markets served by these products. An evaluation methodology was developed to assess which applications might be attractive in terms of market potential, environmental considerations, economic impact, risk, and public perception. This methodology was used to assess the proposed applications. The results indicated that several applications might be promising products for the fusion energy source.